I've been lurking around this subreddit for the better part of a decade, even though all of my relationships up to this point have been monogamous. I enjoyed reading everyone's stories and agreed with a lot of the advice and general ideas that were floated here. I've used a lot of them to great effect in all of my relationships, whatever form they took. So that's why I say, "kinda new, kinda not".

About 2 months ago, I ended a long term relationship and realized that I'm in a new city with no local support network, (I have a few very dear friends, but they all live many hours away). One of these friends has become especially close over the years and the connection that we share is incredibly tight and intimate, and we have been mistaken for a couple more than one occasion, despite our relationship being entirely platonic.

I have come to realize since then that having and forming connections on this level is a significant goal and priority for me. And though it's not necessary that any given relationship has a sexual and/or romantic components to them, I certainly don't want to rule those things out and (I don't want them ruled out for other people either), simply because I already have it with one person. I am also unwilling to dial back the intimacy in my existing friendship, which proved to be a source of contention in my previous relationship and may be a difficult sell to new monogamous partners.

About 3 weeks ago I joined a meetup group and went to a gathering. I had a really good time and met some cool people. I went to another get together earlier this week and met some other folks that I really hit it off with and seemed to share some similar takes and values withm I'm looking forward to doing more things and spending more times with these groups after the holidays.

Like, I'm not expecting a lovefest or to like everyone or to have everyone like me, I'm really just looking to meet folks who feel similarly about forming and maintaining significant connections with others and are willing to let those connections form and play out authentically. Am I in the right sort of spaces for this to happen?